Perspectives in American Music Culture
In this course, students take an historical and cultural journey through the development of American music culture and artistry, seen through various genre/style windows. These include classical, roots, folk, spirituals, blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, theater music, global music, soul and social protest, mainstream rock, hip-hop, pop, punk, and modern contemporary. Students explore how American musical artistry is defined as well as the values and beliefs that are at the root of American music and movements. This exploration is enhanced by a study of sociology and ethnomusicology to bring further clarity to the ways music impacts the American cultural experience. Students consider the sociopolitical conditions of American culture and the aesthetic—style, trends, production concerns, and business developments—that have shaped it as they also examine the impact of historical trends on the musical world of today. Additionally, students interpret the artists of the past and today within the context of our own lived conditions.